Environmental Health Concerns. What Does a 1000 pounds of ammonia in the air mean to your HEALTH?

Though not your household ammonia and right in your face, it is still in the air according to sources and no one should really be breathing Ammonia.


"How can ammonia affect my health?

Exposure to extremely high levels of ammonia can cause death, coma, blindness, lung damage, collapse, and seizures.

Breathing high concentrations of ammonia can cause fluid in the lungs to build up, and possible lung damage. Exposure to high levels of ammonia can burn the eyes, skin, throat, and lungs. Breathing lower concentrations of ammonia can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, laryngitis, headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, pink frothy phlegm, chest pain, asthma, rapid pulse, and increased blood pressure.

If you swallow ammonia, it can burn your mouth, throat, and stomach, and cause severe abdominal pain. If concentrated ammonia spills on your skin, it can blister or severely burn your skin, or cause dermatitis. Eye exposure may cause conjunctivitis, corneal irritation or damage, and temporary or permanent blindness.

You may suffer increased risks from ammonia if you have corneal disease, glaucoma, or chronic respiratory diseases. "

Source
http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=2


"Ammonia Refrigeration

Ammonia is considered a high health hazard because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. Exposure to 300 parts per million (ppm) is immediately dangerous to life and health. Ammonia is also flammable at concentrations of approximately 15% to 28% by volume in air. When mixed with lubricating oils, its flammable concentration range is increased. It can explode if released in an enclosed space with a source of ignition present, or if a vessel containing anhydrous ammonia is exposed to fire. Fortunately, ammonia has a low odor threshold (20 ppm), so most people will seek relief at much lower concentrations."

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ammoniarefrigeration/